dry eye disease - Stephenson Eye Associates

Insert to
June 2015
DRY EYE DISEASE:
CREATING
MORE
AWARENESS
A round table discussion with members of American Society
of Progressive Entrepreneurial Surgeons (ASPENS) that is
designed to be a toolkit for the best practices
in managing ocular surface disease.
Sponsored by
DRY EYE DISEASE
DRY EYE DISEASE:
CREATING MORE AWARENESS
This round table discussion with members of American Society of Progressive
Entrepreneurial Surgeons (ASPENS) is designed to be a toolkit for the best practices
in managing ocular surface disease.
The goal of this ASPENS round table is to identify the best practices in the management and prevention of dry eye disease (DED)—
we want to create a practical approach. Today, more is known about DED than ever before, and a variety of diagnostics and new
treatment modalities are available. The problem is that many eye care practitioners do not even know where to start when it comes
to identifying and treating DED. These patients require a lot of time, and often that does not fit into the common practice flow. How
do we go about creating more awareness among eye care providers and the community? If we wait for patients to present with
symptoms, it is too late. —Sheri Rowen, MD
lice T. Epitropoulos, MD, is co-founder
A
and owner of The Eye Center of Columbus
and partner at Ophthalmic Surgeons &
Consultants of Ohio. Dr. Epitropoulos is also
clinical assistant professor at The Ohio State
University Department of Ophthalmology.
She serves as a consultant to Allergan,
Bausch + Lomb, Shire, TearScience, TearLab,
PRN, and NovaBay. Dr. Epitropoulos may be
reached at (614) 221-7464;
aepitrop@columbus.rr.com.
athleen M. McCabe, MD, is a cataract
C
and refractive specialist practicing at The
Eye Associates in Bradenton and Sarasota,
Florida. She serves as speaker for Abbott
Medical Optics, a consultant for Allergan,
and speaker and consultant for Alcon and
Bausch + Lomb. Dr. McCabe may be reached
at (941) 792-2020; cmccabe13@hotmail.com;
Twitter @CathyEye.
Sheri Rowen MD, FACS, Physician CEO, is
the Founder of Rowen Vision and Cosmetic
Center, and has served as a Clinical Instructor
at Johns Hopkins Hospital as well as a clinical assistant professor at the University of
Maryland. She is now with NVision Centers
in Newport Beach, California, and is an
in-house consultant for Alphaeon and
Strathspey Crown. She disclosed a financial relationship with
Ace Vision Group, Allergan, and Bausch+Lomb. Dr. Rowen
may be reached at (410) 402-0122; srowen10@gmail.com.
54 INSERT TO CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY | JUNE 2015
Neda Shamie, MD, is associate professor of
ophthalmology at the University of Southern
California (USC) Eye Institute, Keck School of
Medicine at USC; medical director at the USC
Eye Center-Beverly Hills; and medical director
at Tissue Banks International. She is a consultant to Alcon, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb,
Nicox, Shire, and Tissue Banks International.
Dr. Shamie may be reached at
Neda.Shamie@med.usc.edu.
P . Dee G. Stephenson, MD, is the founder
and director of Stephenson Eye Associates
in Venice, Florida. Dr. Stephenson is also
associate professor of ophthalmology at the
University of South Florida in Tampa and
president of the American College of Eye
Surgeons. She acknowledged no financial
interest in the products or companies she
mentioned. Dr. Stephenson may be reached
at (941) 485-1121; eyedrdee@aol.com.
E lizabeth Yeu, MD, is in private practice
at the Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk,
Virginia, and serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology
at Eastern Virginia Medical School. She is a
consultant to Abbott Medical Optics, Alcon,
Allergan, RPS, Shire, and TearLab. Dr. Yeu
may be reached at eyeu@vec2020.com
Cathleen McCabe, MD: In my practice, we have posters in
the waiting room and examination rooms that alert patients to
some of the symptoms of DED.
Elizabeth Yeu, MD: A lot of physicians almost turn a blind
eye to DED. It is a chronic disorder that, until recently, there
were not many prescription or therapeutic interventions available beyond lid hygiene and lubrication—then of course came
cyclosporine (Restasis; Allergan), in-office meibomian gland
(MG) interventions, and advanced tear diagnostics. The impact
of ocular surface health on outcomes in refractive cataract
surgery is certainly helping to drive surgeons’ awareness. Many
patients do not present with the classic signs, but we are identifying them as having the condition with advanced tear diagnostics, particularly tear osmolarity and InflammaDry (Rapid
Pathogen Screening [RPS]). This occurs before they actually
have vital dye staining and the devitalized epithelium.
Neda Shamie, MD: The availability of diagnostic tests
enables us to pay more attention to younger patients too, as
we can now visualize the MGs and actually see atrophy. We
know that it starts early. In fact, I use the Sjö test (Bausch +
Lomb), and have offered it to some patients who I thought
would not be positive and yet they were. It is alarming to see
so many asymptomatic patients who have significant disease.
Sheri Rowen, MD: When the Sjö test came out the Sjögren’s
Foundation estimated about 10% of the patients would have
the disease, but anecdotally, in overall practices, about 26%
have come back as positive tests. There is an autoimmune
component to DED that we are seeing in some of the younger
patients. With early diagnosis we can help treat their whole system. Regarding the lids, I don’t think any of us would have ever
looked at meibomian glands routinely in a young person and
considered this entity of nonobvious meibomian gland disease
(MGD).
Dr. McCabe: What we hope is that we can identify these
patients early and change that statistic of 80% of patients
developing DED later in life.2 If our goal is to treat them for a
lifetime, we can force that statistic to drop; this could make
such a huge difference in patients’ quality of life.
P. Dee G. Stephenson, MD: It is about the total patient and
his or her total health.
Dr. McCabe: How do we almost “automate” the detection
TAKE-HOME POINTS
by Neda Shamie, MD
• individualize treatment
• assess inflammation
• prescribe 2-week course of steroids plus 3 to
6 months (and often longer) of cyclosporine 0.1%
(Restasis; Allergan) twice a day
• increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids
• look for comorbid conditions (ie, conjunctivochalasis,
incomplete blink reflex, etc.)
Patients who rely on daily artificial tears deserve a closer evaluation to rule out dysfunctional tear syndrome or to be monitored for progressively worsening symptoms. It is important to
treat each patient with a customized approach. The patient may
have significant MGD, ocular surface inflammation as a result
of underlying allergies, or possibly conjunctivochalasis or other
mechanical abnormalities that can contribute to the OSD. The
most likely scenario is a combination of factors.
After determining the presence of inflammation, based
on clinical presentation or the use of InflammaDry (RPS),
I proceed with a 2-week course of steroids. My preference
is loteprednol (Lotemax; Bausch + Lomb) administered
at bedtime, with at least 3 to 6 months of therapy with
cyclosporine.
I also advise my patients to increase their intake of omega-3
fatty acids through supplementation; my preference is
Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals brand, and I also suggest to my patients that they add more omega-3 fatty acids to
their diet.
If significant rosacea is present, I prescribe 50 mg/day oral doxycycline for at least 3 months or topical azithromycin (AzaSite;
Akorn) nightly. If there is trichiasis, I remove those lashes, and if
the patient has conjunctivochalasis and symptoms of discomfort remain despite aggressive treatment of the ocular surface, I
proceed with conjunctival resection.
For patients with severe punctate epitheliopathy or dry eyes
related to neurotrophic keratopathy, I recommend autologous
serum drops. I offer the option of a PROSE (prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem) scleral lens to patients
who have little to no improvement with topical treatments.
CREATING MORE AWARENESS
EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS CRITICAL
Alice T. Epitropoulos, MD: Meibomian gland dysfunction
(MGD) is extremely underdiagnosed because many times it is
nonobvious. MGD is a progressive disease, so if we can get to
these patients before they have severe damage, they are going
to respond better than if we wait until the glands are nonfunctional. Meibography using the LipiView II (TearScience) is an
excellent tool to identify these patients early, it is also a great
opportunity to educate our patients and guide the discussion
about the disease. The prevalence studies show that 43% of
patients who have DED are asymptomatic.1 We have to actively look for the disease and not just rely on symptoms.
JUNE 2015 | INSERT TO CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY 55
DRY EYE DISEASE
and treatment of DED? We want to make it something that is
automatic to think about for each patient, because as surgeons,
we have so many other things we want to concentrate on.
Dr. Yeu: The goal of this is to try to change our threshold to
identify and treat DED.
CHANGING PRACTICE PATTERNS
Dr. Rowen: The first change that must be made to traditional practice patterns is to see patients before they have visual
issues. In fact, we need to see patients on a yearly basis to examine for potential development of early DED. This falls in line with
the dental hygiene and preventive medicine models. I have seen
DED in patients as young as 17 years, and we have also seen it in
young children with chronic chalazia.
Dr. Yeu: There is much greater demand on our eyes today,
with electronic video display devices. That is part of the problem. When reading computer monitors, tablets and smartphones, people do not blink enough or completely.
Dr. Stephenson: The digital device usage is what triggers
young patients to come into our offices.
TAKE-HOME POINTS
by Elizabeth L. Yeu, MD
• listen to the patient
• assess the causes of OSD, which are likely multifactorial
The diagnosis and management of DED has blossomed in
the past several years. We have to keep in mind that listening to the patient’s symptomatology is just as important as
incorporating the diagnostics and clinical exam into the big
picture.
For example, the timing and qualities of the patient’s discomfort can be very revealing. Regarding the timing of the
disease, OSD in a patient who complains more of a burning
sensation first thing in the morning from MGD is very different from the patient who suffers from fluctuating foreign
body sensation that worsens throughout the day due to
aqueous-deficiency issues. Likewise, for the symptomatic
morning patient, a bilateral burning quality to their eyes with
MGD is different from a recurrent corneal erosion syndrome
patient with unilateral sharp pains and tearing.
Dr. Yeu: We need to not only educate the eye care professionals we work with, but also primary care doctors and
pediatricians.
Dr. Shamie: A public health campaign could be targeted to
patients in the 20- to 40-year-old range, especially contact lens
wearers. We could target college students via campus health
services and educate them about the importance of ocular
surface health. Perhaps create stickers for computer screens
that remind students to blink more often, use artificial tears, or
beware of dry eyes if their eyes burn with computer use.
Dr. Yeu: The average DED patient is younger. I am diagnosing more kids who habitually play video games, and contact lens overusers come in as teenagers with obvious DED.
Dr. Epitropoulos: Everybody should be looking for MGD, I
think it is the root of what causes many of our patients to be
frustrated, dissatisfied or unhappy with their results after cataract or refractive surgery. MGD is the most common form of
OSD and is a silent gland killer.
Dr. Rowen: Our diets today, certainly in our culture, have
become more processed, and we consume more omega6 and other inflammatory mediators and less omega-3, a
natural anti-inflammatory. What happens then, is the composition of that meibum turns into something thick, yellow,
dark, cheesy, and toothpaste like. It should look like clear
olive oil.
56 INSERT TO CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY | JUNE 2015
Dr. McCabe: It should well up like an oil well and spread
out over the lid margin. Instead, it retains its shape, like
toothpaste coming out of a tube.
Dr. Shamie: We do not want to wait until the meibum is the
consistency of toothpaste to really determine if there is disease.
The tear quality and stability is important. You need to stain the
tear film, or if you have LipiView (TearScience), you can determine the tear breakup time (TBUT) and the quality with which
it covers the ocular surface.
Dr. Stephenson: I think that we pay a lot less attention to
TBUT than we should. It is a measure I find very helpful, and I
track it over time.
Dr. Yeu: The slit-lamp evaluation of the lids is crucial; and it
can be very quick. The three things that we are looking for is the
(1) actual architecture of the meibomian glands, (2) the quality
of the meibum, and (3) presence of telangiectasia, which demonstrates greater inflammation.
Dr. Shamie: One of the challenges in treating DED is that
we do not really know what the natural progression is, and we
do not know what normal is. We have to talk about the need
for more population-based studies and create normative data
among our target population.
Dr. Rowen: We come back to eye awareness: if you are
aware of your eyes, you probably have a problem.
Dr. McCabe: In terms of interventions for a younger
patient, I would say they do not need to be as broad spectrum as in an older patient because they are earlier in the
disease process. I talk more about lid hygiene, diet, and
omega-3 supplements with these patients. In my experience,
omega-3s really have a big impact on the quality of patients’
lid margin and meibum.
Dr. Rowen: Studies of the Physician’s Recommended
TAKE-HOME POINTS
by Alice T. Epitropoulos, MD
• assess for unstable tear film
• early treatment necessary
• Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED)
questionnaire
• increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids
• tailor treatment to each patient’s severity of disease
• topical corticosteroid with cyclosporine 0.1% (Restasis;
Allergan)
The tear film is the most important refractive surface of the
eye. An unstable tear film can result in unpredictable biometry,
delayed healing, and suboptimal results after surgery.
Evaporative DED is most common form of OSD. In my
opinion, this condition is the root of what causes some of our
patients to be frustrated, dissatisfied, or unhappy with their
results after cataract or refractive surgery.
MGD is a progressive disease and if not treated can lead to
glandular atrophy and loss of function. Meibography using the
LipiView II (TearScience) is an excellent tool to identify these
patients early, and it also serves as a great opportunity to educate our patients and guide the discussion about the disease. I
think this is what is going to take LipiFlow (TearScience) thermal
pulsation to the next level. Patients can now see what their
glands look like versus what they should look like. Conventional
treatments do not address meibomian gland obstruction.
There are several traditional but valuable ways of evaluating
Nutriceutical (PRN) brand, which is the natural triglyceride
or re-esterified form of omega-3, have backed this up.3,4 We
need to talk about diet with younger patients.
ENGAGE, EDUCATE YOUNG PATIENTS
Dr. Stephenson: I find that when college-age patients come
home after their first semester of college, they present to me
with complaints. This is the perfect time to assess them and
deliver education, because they have done two new things:
moved away from home and changed their diet. They are
working on their computer, reading, and studying. One of the
pearls I use for women is to tell them they have to remove their
makeup completely at night, and I recommend that they do
not use waterproof products. Additionally, a tube of mascara
should only last a couple of months. They need to throw away
old makeup.
Dr. Shamie: I make sure I use language that resonates
with my patients. When I talk about Restasis, for example,
I talk about the health and youthfulness of the ocular sur-
DED. I have found TBUT, corneal topography, and fluorescein
staining to be most helpful. Current options have changed dramatically during the past several years with improved specificity
and objectivity of point-of-care testing. OSD results in hyperosmolarity, which in turn contributes to an unstable tear film, the
hallmark of DED.
Treatment should be tailored to the severity of the disease.
Reducing inflammation is the primary goal of treating moderate to advanced dry eye. Restasis is extremely effective in my
patients with DED because it increases natural tear production
and reduces the disease’s progression. Using a topical corticosteroid provides a tool to rapidly reduce inflammation and works
synergistically with cyclosporine. I also recommend omega-3 fatty
acids because it reduces inflammation and increases tear production. I prefer re-esterified nutritional supplements by Physician
Recommended Nutriceuticals, a high-quality, purified triglyceride
formulation with excellent tolerability and absorption.
Blepharitis is a common diagnosis associated with dry eye
disease. Conventional treatments, such as cleaning the lids with
baby shampoo can sometimes exacerbate symptoms. I have
found a new approach: Avenova (NovaBay Pharmaceuticals) is
a treatment that utilizes hypochlorous acid in saline, which is a
bactericidal component found in our white blood cells. I have
found this to be extremely effective in treating patients with
MGD and blepharitis.
DED decreases surgical predictability and can adversely affect
our outcomes. Never hesitate to delay surgery until the ocular
surface is healthy enough to generate accurate measurements.
CREATING MORE AWARENESS
Dr. Epitropoulos: Results from a recent study evaluating
the role of omega-3 for DED supports the recommendation
that re-esterified omega-3 supplementation should be included
as a primary therapy for DED and MGD.3 The point we need
to drive home is early intervention—rather than waiting until
there is irreversible damage—is really going to lead to better
outcomes.
JUNE 2015 | INSERT TO CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY 57
DRY EYE DISEASE
TAKE-HOME POINTS
by P. Dee G. Stephenson, MD
•
•
•
•
listen to the patient
SPEED questionnaire
tear osmolarity and InflammaDry (RPS) testing are a must
treatment with cyclosporine 0.1% (Restasis; Allergan),
omega-3 fatty acids, and topical steroids
• new treatment available for blepharitis
conjunctival evaluation with lissamine green, as well as TBUT. I also
assess the MGs. I examine the lid margins for Demodex, greasy lashes,
and lash loss. Treating the inflammatory component of the disease
part is important. I use cylosporine, omega-3 fatty acids, and topical
steroids to reestablish the tear film. I use punctal plugs if needed.
Evaluation of the MGs and at the oil layer of the tear film is
crucial. I use the LipiView Interferometer with keratography and
DED can be extremely burdensome to both the patient and the LipiFlow treatment (both from TearScience) as needed. I perform
doctor. It is real, and the treatment for this disease is everchanga DED workup on preoperative cataract patients and treat them
ing and chronic. A good game plan is a must, along with patience, aggressively so that optimal preoperative testing can be performed.
understanding, and listening to the patient about their symptoms.
BlephEx (RySurg) is a great new addition to the treatment of
Nearly all of my patients complete the SPEED questionnaire. It is
blepharitis. This in-office procedure removes the excess bacteria bioimportant to determine what type of disease the patient has or if it film and inflammatory exotoxins along the lid margin that will help
is a combination.
improve MGD and symptoms of DED.
Corneal evaluation should be done using fluorescein stain and
to complete blockage with no oil expressed. I cannot stress enough
how important this step is and how rarely it is utilized. The dysfunc• importance of lid hygiene is underrecognized
tion and blockages of MGs very often precedes the signs and symp• early recognition of MGD needed
• manual gland expression performed at the initial office visit toms and we must start to incorporate this for early diagnosis and
prevention. This would mimic the dental hygiene model where we
We have missed the boat in understanding lid hygiene. With the would evaluate and then express MGs early to prevent long-term
blockages, dilation, truncation, and permanent atrophy of the MGs.
rapidly increasing prevalence of dysfunctional tear syndrome, we
Early treatment with LipiFlow (TearScience) or intense pulsed
need to take a second look. Every patient should have their glands
light
can be instituted to unblock the MGs and manual expression
evaluated in their 20s to 30s to determine who will be at risk for
of
MGs
every 3 months with a cotton swab will prolong the effect
plugged glands.
until
they
finally produce normal oil. This process can take as long as
Every patient who walks into our practices should routinely have
2
years
in
very
diseased patients.
these diagnostic tests performed: First, a SPEED questionnaire to
Following
treatment
with cyclosporine 0.1% (Restasis; Allergan)
determine if symptoms exist. If positive (> 6), these patients should
for
at
least
a
month,
a
Schirmer
test can be performed; if results are
have their tear osmolarity tested. InflammaDry should also be perlow,
plugs
can
then
be
placed.
This
pre-treatment with cyclosporine
formed for inflammation assessment, along with fluorescein stain
helps
to
reduce
the
inflammatory
mediators
that are residing in the
with fluorescein strip only, and balanced salt solution to evaluate
tear
lake.
staining, and TBUT. A lissamine stain will assess conjunctival stain
In 86% of patients, the MGs will be affected, and as soon as they
even, if fluorescein shows no corneal staining.
are
expressed to assess the quality and quantity, they can start
If inflamed, patients are directed to use cyclosporine drops twice
performing
again.1 Until now, this was not a part of the normal eye
daily and omega-3s as needed for oil film composition and antiexam, but we can make a big difference by just recognizing this
inflammatory effect. I add Lotemax as well. If just the glands are
condition, especially earlier in life. With limited and partial blinkaffected, the patient will to have a LipiView test to properly image
the meibomian glands and assess the oil layer. The Keratograph cor- ing, especially with digital devices, the meibomian orifices actually
become keratinized, leading to the eventual blockages. These can
neal topographer (Oculus) can also evaluate TBUT.
I examine the lid margins for flaking and anterior blepharitis, and, be lightly debrided with a spud or BlephEx (RySurg), and we can
if present, I institute lid scrubs and warm compresses. I have found release the blockages using simple debridement and expression. I
predict routine meibomian expression with control of inflammation
that Avenova (NovaBay) is effective in killing Staphylococcus.
Every patient should have manual MG expression performed at will become the new norm for eye exams and lid hygiene, with the
creation of a new specialty of ocular hygienists.
the initial office visit. This will reveal the preliminary level of blockLemp MA, Crews LA, Bron AJ, et al. Distribution of aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye in a clinic-based patient cohort: a
ages and the composition of the oil, which will range from olive oil 1.retrospective
study. Cornea. 2012;31(5):472-478.
by Sheri Rowen, MD, FACS
58 INSERT TO CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY | JUNE 2015
by Cathleen McCabe, MD
Top 13 Practice Pearls
1. Early recognition and treatment is key. Look carefully for
signs and symptoms even in younger patients. This is especially
important in patients prior to refractive or cataract surgery to
improve the quality of measurements and the outcome of surgery.
This also helps avoid the misconception that patients have about
the cause of the problem if DED is only identified, discussed, and
treated after surgery, even though it was present before.
2. An intake questionnaire (we use a modified SPEED questionnaire) allows technicians to be empowered to perform important
testing (tear osmolarity, staining of conjunctiva, and cornea) prior
to seeing the doctor.
3. Evaluation of the quality and quantity of meibum can be
easily performed in the office with pressure on the lower lid.
4. Low-tech equipment, such as a slit-lamp photograph taken
with a smartphone camera, can be very useful in educating the
patient on the problem.
5. Patients’ understanding of the symptoms of dry eyes (tearing, fluctuating vision, burning, redness) can improve their compliance with treatment and follow-up. Educational posters and
videos in the waiting room and exam rooms can be very helpful.
6. High-quality, bioavailable omega-3 fatty acid supplements
are a powerful aid in improving MGD. I also discuss sources of
omega-3s (fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds, etc). I usually advise the
patient that it can take 4 to 6 weeks to notice an improvement in
DED, and will re-evaluate him or her around this time.
7. To help patients with symptoms exacerbated when reading
or on the computer, I recommend the “20/20 rule”: every 20 minutes put in a lubricating drop and close your eyes for 20 seconds.
For presbyopes, I also recommend looking at distance (approximately 20 feet).
8. There are apps available for smartphones and tablets that
will remind patients to put in drops at regular intervals. Time Out
(available in the Apple App Store) will fade the computer screen
out to a color at set intervals for a set amount of time; eg, every
20 minutes for 20 seconds.
9. For patients with more severe DED symptoms who have difficulty instilling drops, lubricating gel in a tube (Systane or Genteal
[both from Alcon]) used in smaller amounts during the day can
be effective. I warn the patient that his or her vision will be blurry
for 1 to 2 minutes after instillation. A gel formulation can be much
easier to administer for patients with difficulty extending their neck
because it can be instilled with the head in an upright position.
10. Microwave-heated compresses, such as the Bruder Moist
Heat Compress, make complying with warm compress treatment
easier for patients. An inexpensive alternative is to put several
clean washcloths in a bowl with water, heat the bowl of water in
the microwave, and serially remove the compresses to maintain a
warm temperature on the lids. Re-heating a baked potato in the
microwave after pricking the skin also works well.
11. Giving a brief explanation of how cyclosporine 0.1%
(Restasis; Allergan) works (by down regulating receptors on inflammatory cells to interrupt the inflammatory cycle that exacerbates
dry eye) helps patients to understand the importance of compliance with twice-daily dosing and the reason for the 2 months of
treatment required before they notice an improvement in symptoms. I schedule the follow-up visit at 2 months and emphasize
that treatment will be long term.
12. In cases of very severe and persistent DED, I have found
serum tears and Prokera Slim amniotic membrane (Bio-Tissue)
therapies to be very effective.
13. Effective evaluation and treatment of DED can be achieved
without high-tech diagnostic and treatment tools. It is a great
service to the patient to look early, treat early, and follow-up
frequently in cases of DED, hopefully preventing the more endstage disease we frequently see presenting to our clinics.
face. I believe that conjunctivochalasis is a result of chronic
inflammation, ie, “wrinkling” of the surface of the eye.
two seconds. That helps the natural expression of the MGs and
promotes evacuation.
Dr. Yeu: We are preparing for the future. With perseverance,
we can impress upon our colleagues that earlier commitment
to treatment will pave the way for better eye health, so patients
can reach their visual goals later in life (LASIK, cataract surgery).
We are lucky to have the interventions we have in terms of
thermal pulsation, but why are the MGs not being evacuated
at a maintenance level? Thermal pulsation and MG evacuation
is a great start, but the incomplete blinks that occur routinely
cause greater MG congestion and worsening DED. There are lid
ergonomics we can encourage people to do, such as five intentional blinks twice a day, where you actually hold each one for
Dr. McCabe: I recommend that patients take a 20 second
break from the computer every 20 minutes, put in a lubricating
drop, and look off to the distance at least 20 feet: 20/20/20.
CREATING MORE AWARENESS
TAKE-HOME POINTS
Dr. Rowen: To stay 20/20! n
1. Sullivan BD. Correlations between commonly used objective signs and symptoms for the diagnosis of dry eye disease: clinical
implications. Acta Ophthalmol. 2014;92(2):161-6; Epub Dec 28, 2012.
2. Moss SE, Klein R, Klein BE. Prevalence of and risk factors for dry eye syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol 2000;118:1264–1268.
3. Donnenfeld ED, Holland EJ, Epitropoulos AT, et al. Effect of oral re-esterified omega-3 nutritional supplementation on dry-eye
disease: double-masked randomized placebo-controlled study. Paper presented at ASCRS-ASOA Symposium and Congress; April
16-20, 2015; San Diego, CA.
4. Dyerberg J, Madsen P, Møller JM, et al. Bioavailability of marine n-3 fatty acid formulations. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty
Acids. 2010;83(3):137-141.
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